The real crisis is within

This is in response to Sarah Howell’s essay “We Need ‘Call to Holiness’ More than Call to Action” (Reporter, April 13).

I completely concur with Ms. Howell’s thoughts on the UMC’s “dark night of the soul.” I do believe, as Ms. Howell states, that when church members fear change, they fear “losing God,” as if God could ever be lost when worship is sincere.

The crisis in the United Methodist Church is not from declining membership, as older members die out and younger folks aren’t buying what we’re selling. It’s a true crisis from within, from power brokering by unkind Christians who are absolutely certain that their way is the best way, while lost, unchurched and biblically-confused souls go elsewhere for entertainment and temporary relief.

Let’s please not hoard our monies, but use them, trusting that if we are truly carrying out the Great Commission, we will thrive in God’s world.

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The United Methodist Reporter wants to encourage lively conversation about The United Methodist Church and our articles in the belief that Christian conversation (what Wesley would call conferencing) is a means of grace. While we support passionate debate, we cannot allow language that demeans or demonizes others, and we reserve the right to delete any comment we believe to be harmful or inappropriate. We encourage all to remember that we are all broken and in need of Christ's grace, and that we all see through the glass darkly until that time we when reach full perfection in love. May your speech here be tempered with love, and reflection of the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. After all, "There is no law against things like this." (Galatians 5:22-23)

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karlevans

In response to the current US-UMC crisis, it seems simple. We have spent the last century finding ways to push one another out of the Church. Homosexuality, morals, rich and poor alike, disabilities, literacy, homeland. Speaking as one of these, I resent being pushed out of the church for which I have mortgaged and risked everything. I know the frustration of my people in Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Somalia, Congo, South Sudan, Burundi and the rest of equatorial Africa who are literally told by the committees arranging General Conference that they are not part of the United Methodist Church,… Read more »